'Sokka! Stop this is ridiculous!' Suki moaned next to him, her arms crossed.

She watched in disgust as Sokka and Toph chugged beer as fast as they could, surrounded by empty glasses.

'I don't know why I'm watching this.' Zuko stared with morbid curiosity. 'It's so gross but I do want to know who will win this.'

'Toph will.' Suki remarked next to him. 'She always does.'

Zuko watched as the petit earthbender gulped down her pint.

'But she's so… small.'

Toph slammed down her empty glass on a side-table next to them. It wobbled under the force.

'Better luck next time Sokka!'

Sokka stopped drinking and looked down at his own cup. It was only half-finished. His expression was sour but eventually relaxed, the doping effect of the alcohol taking hold of him. Toph outstretched her hand. Sokka reached into his pocket and dropped a bunch of copper pieces into her palm.

'You are an evil person.'

Toph laughed.

'A sore loser as always… I'm looking forward to the next time you pay me to drink you under the table.'

'Next time-' He burped. 'Next time, I'll beat you. Just you wait!' He stumbled slightly and Suki steadied him with her hands on his back.

'Come on Sokka - I think you need to sit down.' Suki laughed as she steered him in the direction of a chair.

Across the room Katara had been mingling with the aristocrats of society. While the end of Fire Nation domination had in a sense created a more democratic and liberal state of affairs in the world, the old class ties lingered strongly in the Fire Nation Capital.

'I hear your work has been in the Water Tribes of late.' Lady Tsong asked her.

'Yes - there was plenty of work to be done. Rebuilding that is.' Katara responded, not eager to bring particular attention to herself.

'Rebuilding of what?'

'Ties, I suppose.' Katara smiled.

'Ah. I see.' The Lady looked to the side, bored. She noticed the necklace around Katara's neck. Her eyes widened and she became intrigued.

'You are betrothed?'

Katara's fingers flew to her neck and she laughed nervously.

'No! No - this was my mother's.'

The Lady's face dropped in disappointment.

'I see.' She placed a hand on Katara's shoulder in a gesture of familiarity. But it felt cold and ungenuine. 'I hope not to cause offense by asking - I simply thought since you are of age - you surely have had many suitors already. You must be spoiled for choice.'

Katara laughed nervously, flashing her eyes to the ground and back.

'I have other priorities than marriage right now.' She responded. The musicians behind them changed songs and Katara took the opportunity to escape. 'While it has been a pleasure Lady Tsong, I must be off... Until the next time.'

With a fake smile she bowed and slowly walked away. She felt a wave of relief come over her, happy to be rid of such a conversation. Reaching the other side of the hall, she found her brother slumped in a chair with Suki.

'What in the spirits happened?'

'Toph'.

'Ah it makes sense now.' Katara sighed. 'Well, he'll wake up with a nice hangover I'm sure.'

'You're not the one who has to put him to bed.' Suki complained.

'True - I'm his sister - I have to look after him. As you're his fiance. You chose this.'

'I didn't officially say yes.'

'We both know you will the next time he asks.' Katara teased.

Suki blushed and put a finger to her lips.

'Between us - yes.' She whispered to her.

'He's still suffering?' Katara turned to see Zuko behind her. He smiled down at her. She felt butterflies in her chest.

'Y-Yes - I guess he never learns.' Katara crouched to meet her brother in the eyes. 'Fancy a walk?'

'Is that a good idea…?' Suki asked nervously.

'Yeah…. He'll be fine!' Katara rested her brother's arm on her shoulder and lifted him up. 'It'll do him good.' She urged him forward. To the group's surprise he managed to walk. 'Come on Sokka - let's go see the turtle ducks outside.'

'Ugh… I'm coming, I'm coming...' He mumbled.

Brother and sister walked arm in arm out the hall and to the palace gardens. Katara let Sokka settle himself on the grass. She stood as a warm breeze swept around her, locks of hair flying with the wind. The crescent moon was shining on the pond's water and she closed her eyes, basking in its light.

'I'm so lucky.' Sokka announced.

Katara turned to see him lying on the ground, arms crossed and supporting his head, eyes closed. She laid next to him and mirrored his position.

'And why's that?'

'Because I have you… and Suki…. and Toph and Zuko and Iroh and Aang.'

'Suki is a keeper… too good for you.' Katara joshed. Sokka laughed.

'I'm gonna marry her.'

'I don't doubt that.' Katara said with a smile. She opened her eyes and looked at the constellations above.

'I'm sorry.' Sokka's voice grew sober and he too opened his eyes, to look at his sister.

'Sorry about what?' Katara laughed. 'Getting drunk? I admit that you had no cha-'.

'I'm sorry about Prince Taen.' She tilted her head to look at him. His eyes were full of sorrow. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off. 'Dad told me.'

Katara felt her blood run cold.

'Of course he did.' She said bitterly. 'I feel like a cow being sold on market day.'

'I didn't believe him at first.' Sokka said with a sigh.

'I won't marry him.' Her voice was stubborn, determined. Sokka twisted his head back to its original position and closed his eyes, smiling.

'Good.'

'There's….' She paused. '...Someone else.'

Sokka's eyes shot open.

'Wha-'.

'I can't tell you who it is.' She ascertained. Sokka sat upright and pointed a finger at her.

'As your big bro-'.

'Sokka.' Her face became serious. He went quiet. He knew that tone of voice. 'I love you. And I know you would do anything to protect me. But… right now I can't tell you who it is.' He went to speak but she cut him off again. 'But I promise… when the time is right, you can interrogate him to your heart's content.'

He let out a frustrated grunt and laid back down. 'I look forward to it.' They both closed their eyes and listened to the whistling wind.

As Zuko made his farewells to the last of the guests, he grew curious about the whereabouts of Katara and Sokka. It had been hours since they'd gone for a 'walk'. He soon discovered he wasn't the only one concerned. Suki approached him with a worried face.

'Have you seen Sokka and Katara?'

'No… did you want to look for them outside?' He suggested.

'Yeah…' Suki looked to the exit of the room. 'Hopefully he's not causing her too much trouble…'

'I'll come with you - we can look together.' Zuko smiled softly.

'Thanks.' She sighed with relief.

It didn't take long for them to find the siblings. In the palace courtyard, next to the pond, Katara and Sokka lay on their backs fast asleep. Suki rolled her eyes at Zuko and laughed.

'You take Katara, I take Sokka?'

'Alright.'

They both leaned down, Zuko to Katara and Suki to Sokka, rousing them awake.

'Sokka.. It's time for bed.'

'Katara…'

The siblings, still half-asleep, were ushered inside.

For the next few days the group enjoyed the pleasures of the Fire Nation from the beaches to the thriving markets of the Capitol. Finally it was time for reality to hit them back into action. It was a cool morning as Sokka, Toph and Suki met outside the palace entrance to pack their bags for the port.

'Is that seriously all you brought?' Sokka remarked at the small bag Toph chucked onto the back of the transport.

'Me? Of course… I'm not a princess Sokka.' Toph stated cooly as she leaned against the carriage's wheel. 'How much did you bring?'

Sokka looked at the pile of bags that sat at his feet, waiting to be crammed onboard.

'Nothing…. Practically nothing!' He dramatically denied waving his hands in the air. He turned to his sister and noticed she had actually did have nothing. 'What about you? Where's your stuff?'

Katara gently smiled at him. 'I'm not coming.'

'What?'

'Well… I promised Zuko I would stay a little longer.'

Sokka's face turned serious and he peered at her with wary eyes.

'Shouldn't you be getting back to the Northern Water Tribe?'

'The North can wait.'

'...If you say so.' He went to her and brought her into a hug. 'Promise me you'll write.'

She brought her arms around his broad shoulders, returning the embrace.

'I promise.'

'See you later Sugar Queen.' Toph shouted with a grin as she climbed into the carriage. With this signal, the group said the rest of their goodbyes and made the beginning of the long journey back.

As they watched them leave in the distance, Katara and Zuko's hands intertwined.

'Finally…' Zuko smirked as he leaned down and kissed Katara roughly on the lips. She enthusiastically returned his affection, her hand softly cupping his neck. After a flurry of kisses, she eventually pushed him away and she gave him a soft smile.

'So are we going to sort out this rebellion?'

Zuko sighed and a frown came to his face.

'You're relentless… you really don't know how to take time off.'

'That's rich coming from you Zuko.' She laughed. '

The pair ventured inside and he led her to his study. They spent hours spreading out maps and planning the best course of action. Zuko watched as Katara's gentle fingers lingered and moved over the Fire Nation's territory. Her hand stopped on a small island.

'So we agree… Here is where we start.'

A knock came to the door.

'Come in.'

'It's time Lord Zuko.'

'Yes… ' He turned to Katara. 'I have a meeting with the Head of National Security now… did you want to come? Any plans will have to be approved by him.' He asked.

'Of course!'

As Katara sat in the war rooms she felt uneasy. Zuko could never remove the evil that seeped from the walls of this place - the past was too close. As Katara entered she met the eyes of Zuko's Councillor.

'Lord Yang… it is a pleasure.' She stated, with a shallow bow. The man mirrored her gesture.

'Master Katara… Zuko has informed me of your plans to aid us.. I am very grateful for your service to the Fire Nation.' His eyes were genuine and soft but his posture was straight, formal.

'I will always serve the Fire Nation, as I do my own.'

The three took their seats at the table in the centre of the room. A large map was spread on the table of the nation.

'As you know Lord Yang, the rebels were last seen active in this region.' Zuko pointed to the northern islands of the Fire Nation.

'Yes… yet we still don't know the location of their base.' Lord Yang sighed. 'It could be anywhere.'

'Katara and I have discussed taking a small vessel to Entako. It's a port town and will no doubt be the hub of any movement of the rebellion.'

'I agree this is a good place to start but Zuko.. you will not be able to accompany Katara.' Lord Yang continued as his eyes came to meet Zuko's. 'Your profile is too well-known on the island. I have spoken with members of the Council and we agree that your presence would compromise the mission.'

Katara grew tense, she worried that Zuko would lose his temper. But to her surprise he leant back in the chair and tilting his head upwards, sighed.

'This has weighed on my mind as well.' He turned to look at Lord Yang again. 'I trust you can protect her.'

'Zuko. I can protect myself.'

'I know… I just want to make sure that you have the right support.'

Katara's gaze softened.

'Zuko...'

'I promise to bring my best men to accompany her, as we discussed a small group would be the most inconspicuous… two men at the most.' Lord Yang looked to Katara. 'I suggest you leave soon also.'

'When did you have in mind?' Katara asked.

'Two days.'

'Alright.' She laughed nervously. 'I suppose I should get packing.'